Voters in Miami Beach elected Steven Meiner as their new mayor Tuesday.
Meiner, an attorney, had more than 54% of the vote, according to the early results of Tuesday’s runoff election. He defeated Michael Gongora, also an attorney.
"Reducing crime, a safer city, mitigating traffic, responsible development, not overdevelopment, resiliency issues that we need to address," Meiner said of his plans for the city. "I just kept talking about it and talking about it, and I really believe we have great residents, we have great voters, and I believe that would resonate and the proof is in the pudding, We are standing here right now celebrating."
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Meiner will replace Dan Gelber, who's held the position since 2017 but was prevented from running again by term limits.
"He is a law and order guy," said Gelber, who endorsed Meiner. "He wants to implement all of these cultural projects, he wants to make the city more livable, so frankly, I am really pleased that he is going to be taking the helm of this city."
In the days leading up to the election, Meiner was accused by three anonymous women of making unwanted advances toward them starting in the early 2000s, while he was an attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but he has since denied the allegations.
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"I am not supported by the deep-pocketed special interests. Now, seeing their influence threatened, they are desperate to spread lies," Meiner said in a statement.
Meiner gave up his spot as Miami Beach's Group 4 commissioner to run for mayor.
Gongora has served three terms as a Miami Beach commissioner, from 2006-2007, 2009-2013, and 2017-2021.
